PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat and the European Union (EU) have signed a Grant contribution agreement worth EUR 8M for the Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT sector (EGEE-ICT) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region (EA-SA-IO)). The EGEE- ICT is a four (4) year programme that aims at supporting the effective review or and development of various regional policy and regulatory framework in a harmonized manner that will contribute to enhancing competition , improved access to cost effective and secure ICT services. The overall objective of the programme is to deepen regional integration and growth of the ICT sector in EA-SA-IO region. The Programme specific objectives are to have:-

  1. Regionally coordinated public and private sector ICT policy development;
  2. Enhanced policy and regulatory environment for competitive markets and gender sensitive ICT markets;
  3. Improved infrastructure connectivity and access to ICT

The program integrates three key result areas which will be implemented with sub result areas as follows:

Result 1: Regionally coordinated public and private sector ICT policy development

Sub Result 1.1: Mechanism for consensus building in policy development among public and private sectors developed

Sub Result 1.2: Capacity of existing regional ICT associations enhanced;

Sub Result 1.3: Accountability systems in policy formulation and implementation strengthened between public and private ICT sector actors.

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Result 2: Enhanced policy and regulatory environment for competitive markets and gender sensitive ICT markets

Sub result 2.1: Regional model policy and regulatory frameworks for e-commerce developed

Sub result 2.2: Gender responsive rights-based policy and regulatory frameworks for universal access and licensing strengthened

Sub result 2.3: Policy and regulatory frameworks to harmonise mobile roaming and termination tariffs and transit internet charges developed

Result 3: Improved Policies, infrastructure connectivity and access to ICT

Sub result 3.1: Policies to promote private sector investment in ICT infrastructure developed

Sub result 3.2: Policies and regulatory frameworks for open access and infrastructure sharing developed

The primary beneficiaries of the EGEE-ICT programme will be member states of EA-SA- IO region, through their respective ICT Ministries and Regulators as they will use this programme to support the development and implementation of policies and regulatory frameworks that will provide a conducive environment for the effective development of the ICT sector. Others are Regional Association of Regulators that play a great role in the development of policy guidelines and regulations and in the harmonisation process namely the Communication Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), Eastern Africa Communication Organisation (EACO) and Association of Regulators for Information and Communication for Eastern and Southern Africa (ARICEA). .

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

To implement the programme, the COMESA secretariat will set up a Programme Implementation Team to be based in the Infrastructure and Logistics Division.

The Programme Implementation Team will be composed of staff as described in the job descriptions below and will also be supported by short-term experts where needed:

JOB TITLE:
Accountant

GRADE:
Professional Level

SALARY:
EUR 66,571 p.a all-inclusive.

PROGRAMME:
From date of signature of the contract up to the end of the programme duration, which is expected to end in December 2024. The initial contract period shall include a six (6) months probationary period

DUTY STATION:
Budget and Finance Division-COMESA Secretariat, Lusaka, Zambia

CONTRACT DURATION: Two (2) years with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds for continued programme implementation and satisfactory performance. The initial contract period shall include a six (6) months probationary period

REPORTING TO: Under the overall supervision of the Director of Budget and Finance Division and in close collaboration with the Team Leader, EDF Programme Manager and EDF Finance Expert.

SCOPE OF WORK

 The Finance Expert will be expected to provide support for the financial management, accounting, internal controls and reporting under the programme on the Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT sector (EGEE-ICT) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region and all the 11th EDF programmes through the support of the other team members to ensure implementation, efficient performance and delivery of the expected results. He/she will work closely with the programme team and stakeholders in the development of annual budgets in consultation with the Division of Budget and Finance for the benefit of all Member/Partner States and the Secretariat. He/She will coordinate and implement the programme financial activities through preparation of financial plans, facilitating payments and producing financial reports for the programme, in addition to attending to day-to-day finance activities relating to the programme.

SPECIFIC TASKS/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 The Accountant will be based at the COMESA Budget and Finance Division, Lusaka, Zambia and will perform the following main functions in order to ensure overall delivery of the programme:

  1. Maintain accounting records of the Programme for timely submission to Management and to the relevant cooperating partners in accordance with the applicable EU reporting requirements;
  2. Prepare replenishment withdraw applications (with the relevant monitoring of previous payments, contractual requirements ) for the signature of the relevant Authorizing Officers;
  3. Assist in the preparation of programme documents, work programmes and the corresponding budgets in the Annual Work Programme and Budgeting System of the Secretariat; Aide memoires and activity budgets
  4. Monitor disbursement of funds with regard to meetings, workshops, goods and services; and ensuring that each payment is released on time;
  5. Participate in the successful implementation of programme activities such as seminars, meetings, etc;
  6. Preparation of accurate monthly, annual, periodical financial and budget performance and forecast reports for the EU and COMESA management;
  7. Participate in the preparation of the periodical technical and financial reports for programme monitoring and reporting to cooperating partners and COMESA management including the provision of all financial information necessary for decision making
  8. Preparation of financial analysis for decision making
  9. Providing support in the implementation and financial management of all 11th EDF programmes
  10. Confirmation of budget availability for all financial transactions
  11. Monitor cash flows on the Programme account and other assigned programmes;
  12. Maintaining the Fixed Asset inventory and depreciation schedules that are maintained on sun Accounting Software in line with the applicable International Financial Reporting Standards;
  13. Maintaining the creditors and debtors’ ledgers as per the International Financial Reporting Standards and ensuring that payments are effected or received on time;
  14. Facilitate internal and external auditing of programme finances; and
  15. Perform any other related duties that may be assigned by the Director of Budget and Finance from time to

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

  1.  A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance or any other equivalent degree;
  2. Professional qualification such as ACCA, CA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent;
  3. In addition, possession of a master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration (MBA), or any other equivalent degree will be a distinct advantage;
  4. Member of an internationally recognised accounting body such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, ACPA or equivalent; and The Finance Expert will possess the following qualifications and experience:

PROFFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  1.  At least six (6) years’ post qualification demonstrable experience as a Finance Expert and or a position with similar scope of responsibilities, of which three (2) should be with donor funded programmes;
  2. Specific work experience in programmes funded by the EU, World Bank, African Development Bank and or similar International Cooperating Partners would be required;
  3. Experience of working in international programmes/organizations dealing with multiple currencies;
  4. Computer literacy and competence in Accounting Systems such as SUN accounting package, EPR, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power

 WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL THE POSITIONS

 Must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

 Applicants must be nationals of EU, ACP and COMESA Member States and not more than 55 years of age at the time of submitting the application.

FINAL DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS

Applications MUST be submitted electronically through email on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the following COMESA website: http://www.comesa.int/, Opportunities, COMESA Job Application Format.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applications should reach the address below not later than 24th March 2021 at 18:00 hours Lusaka, Zambia time.

The Director of Human Resources and Administration Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA Centre,
Ben Bella Road,
P.O Box 30051,
Lusaka, Zambia
Email: recruitment@comesa.int

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